After Mid-Western Floods, Univ of Iowa Faces a Dilemma, and Criticism

To sell a Jackson Pollock or not to sell, that is the question the University of Iowa Museum of Art is currently facing. After the June floods of the Mid West, the University in general and the University of Iowa Museum of Art in particular sustained much damage (although most artwork was spared damage), with some estimates being at more than $16 million for the arts campus alone. Needless to say, funds are needed for building repair and remediation.

The premier piece within the University of Iowa Museum of Art collection is Jackson Pollock's 1943 "Mural" donated in 1951 by Peggy Guggenheim. Since the floods, the schools Regent and board have discussed the possibility of having Pollock's Mural appraised, in the event a large amount of funds were needed for campus repairs. The school has responded to criticism by stating the discussions and possible appraisal are only preliminary, with Regent Michael Gardner stating "I'm not proposing the painting be sold, but I'm proposing we look to see that if the painting were sold (how much it would bring.)". To me, that sounds like the Regents are very interested in selling the Pollock.

The dilemma is what is the mission of the museum, what are the ethics of deaccessioning, as well as threats of limiting future visual arts grants if the painting is sold. The school and the Board of Regents have been highly criticized for even suggestion the painting should be sold.

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a very interesting article on the subject by the papers leisure and arts editor Eric Gibson. Gibson is not a proponent of selling the Pollock. To read the full WSJ article, click HERE.

It is a very interesting topic for discussion and debate, as museum deaccessioning always is. With what is the mission of the museum, what were the wishes and desires of the donor, etc. If you search Google News with Pollock and University of Iowa many articles should be returned about the situation.